Vendors closed their businesses early on Saturday on account of a power outage at the Mapusa flower market.
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Vendors at the Mapusa flower market were compelled to end business early on Saturday, after the electricity department cut-off power supply to the premises on account of outstanding power bills.
This has been a major embarrassment to the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), as the council has failed to clear the electricity bill for May and June, amounting to about Rs 30,000.
According to sources, the electricity department cut-off power supply to the flower market on Friday, severely affecting around 30 vendors consisting of flower sellers, fish sellers, sugarcane sellers, and tailors.
Sources said the vendors have installed fans and lights for themselves. These electrical appliances are switched on the entire day and the lights are kept on at night. This has led to a high power bill for the MMC.
Since Sunday is a public holiday, the vendors will have to bear up with another day without power supply as the MMC is expected to clear the pending bill on Monday.
At present, the electricity department permits only one month of arrears and then starts taking action to disconnect electricity supply to consumers without giving any prior notice, if the arrears are not cleared.
Sources said the department has taken this decision because of the widespread attitude among consumers to delay on paying their electricity bills for long periods of time.
